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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: obsessed on August 04, 2017, 12:42:20 PM

Title: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: obsessed on August 04, 2017, 12:42:20 PM

Disclaimer:  I attempted to comply with all new posting requirements.


I've been working on my dad's 1995 K1100LT here in WA.  It has somewhere around 16,000 original miles.


The stock fan was having some problems (squealing / rubbing when it came on), so I replaced it with the the SPAL #30100402 6.5" fan.  I cut the connection plug from the stock fan and soldered it to the new fan.  I tested the fan by connecting it to a 12v battery prior to re-installing the radiator, so I know the fan is functional.  I reconnected the fan plug once the radiator was installed, properly matching the wires  (green-purple to green-purple, brown to brown). 


The problem is now that the new fan does not turn on when the bike heats up.   So my question is, have others with SPAL/aftermarket fans experienced problems with the temp sensor / computer not automatically turning on the fan?  Is my best / only option for an easy fix to install a manual fan switch (my father balked at the idea of having to turn the fan on himself)?  Am I missing something?


Thanks in advance!


Sincerely,

Hot in Washington

Title: Re: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: BrickMW on August 04, 2017, 01:11:07 PM

Have you checked the temp sensor connection? Perhaps it got bumped or dislodged during the fan replacement.?..


Does the temp light come on?

Title: Re: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: rbm on August 04, 2017, 01:27:14 PM

Have you tried some of the tests outlined in this IBMWR article, in an attempt to isolate the problem?


http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fan-diagnosis.shtml

Title: Re: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: jakgieger on August 04, 2017, 01:32:20 PM

This thread (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,6702.0.html) discusses a few of the operating parameters and how to test at the relay.

Title: Re: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: obsessed on August 04, 2017, 03:49:24 PM

Thanks, I appreciate the responses.


I will run tests and report back.

Title: Re: Aftermarket SPAL fan not turning on when bike gets hot. Prior stock fan did.
Post by: obsessed on August 07, 2017, 01:37:49 PM

Update:

Having some problems determining how to run fan test (http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fan-diagnosis.shtml (http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fan-diagnosis.shtml)).   I have done the same tests on my 1991 K75RT and installed a manual fan switch, but the relay box is a bit different on the K1100 (see attached image), it doesn't have the white temp relay.  Anyone know how to run the same tests on the K1100?

I'm fairly sure the temp sensor is working accurately as the temp gauge needle rises appropriately when running.  I have read other posts here that the fan doesn't kick on automatically until the temp gauge reads in the red.  However, with the stock fan that was in it previously was coming on much sooner than that.
 
Thanks.